The Hawks Museum is delighted to announce that its latest publication, Kennedy’s Commandos – The Story of the ’71 Hawks has now been published and available at the Hawks Museum.
1971 was the year of the Hawks. It was a momentous year in every way - one that was capped off by hard work and planning by Coach John Kennedy Snr and the determination and team spirit of the players.
There have been many superlatives written and said about the Club, among them the suggestion that Hawthorn were: “The World Champions!” The Club won 21 out of the 24 games played, the most by any VFL Club in one Season. This included the two tough battles against St Kilda in the Second Semi-Final and the Grand Final to take the Premiership. After winning the VFL Premiership, the Club then defeated SAFL Premiers, North Adelaide, in Adelaide and the following week won our three games in the Knock-out Series in Perth to win the Australian Championship.
The final tally was 28 games for 25 wins and three losses. For the record Peter Crimmins, Kevin Heath, Peter Hudson, Alan Martello and Don Scott played in all 28 games.
Co-written by museum staff, Peter Haby and Rachel Bradshaw with Richard Allsop of Footy Flashback fame, the book totals 164 pages and gives a detailed account of the year. A highlight within the book a number of supporters were invited to add their memories of that great day in 1971 which are fascinating to read. Many of the photos and memorabilia come from the players personal collections and have seldom been seen.
The book tells us how the team was assembled over a period of seven years, the training program that led to the birth of Kennedy’s Commandos, the home & away season and reaching the ultimate goal, the Club’s second Premiership. Each player story is told accompanied by numerous photos. Also included are the all-important officials & the coaches. John Kennedy Jnr offers a wonderful insight to his father.
With just on four weeks before the book was to go to print, the museum received the John Kennedy Collection which included photos from the Grand Final. These photos are among the best we had seen during our five-year search and depicted many major moments from the Grand Final. Images of Scott, Keddie, Parkin, Bremner, the final siren celebrations, including one of Hudson with the boot studder Ted Laws in the rooms with adoring fans. A rapid decision was made to include as many as possible in the book.
The book is a limited edition and is now available at the Hawks Museum at $40 and if postage is required, please add $15
Enquires hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au or call (03) 9535 3075
